MENA 160A1 1st EditionExam 2 Study GuideMahdi- A spiritual and temporal leader who will rule before the end of the world and restore religion and justice - Meant 12th imam- Also meant “guided one”- Descendant of Ali and Fatima- When the Mahdi returns, his teaching will replace that of MuhammadMuhammad Ibn ‘Abd al-Wahhab- Born 1702-1792 in central Arabia- A Hanbali jurist- Emphasized absolute tawhid (unity): God’s oneness- Strong opposition to shirk (worshiping anyone or anything other than Allah), including:-hierarchical practices such as hand-kissing-putting scholars work above the Quran, hadith- Emphasized Ijtihad (is not a source of law, properly speaking, but a reference to the process by which the law is elaborated) and opposed Taqlid (Loyalty to authoritative precedent)- Critical of Sufis, Shi`is, Ottoman nobility- Advocated education over violenceReasons for Colonialism- Economic-Extract raw materials-Cheap labor (End of slave trade in 1807)-Establish trade routes- Political -Check other European powers -Protect strategic interests -Expand ruleJustifications for Colonialism - Paternalism -“Civilizing Mission;” “White Man’s Burden” -Islam as “backwards” -Christian missionaries, education “top-down” - Economic development-Infrastructure: trains, telegraphs, ports -Mass media: newspapers, journalsJamal al-Din Afghani- Born 1839-97- a political activist and Islamic ideologist in the Muslim world during the late 19th century, particularly in the Middle East, South Asia and Europe.- One of the founders of Islamic Modernism and an advocate of Islamic unity - Described as “less interested in theology as he was in organizing a Muslim response to Western pressure. - Reclaim Islam’s scientific legacy to defeat the West- Advocated parliamentary government- Use the tools of your enemy - Modernize Sir Sayyid Ahmad Khan- Born 1817-1898- an Indian Muslim philosopher and social activist of nineteenth century India- jurist for the British East India Company- Pro-British, criticized for perceived collusion- One of the most influential Muslim politicians of his time, Sir Sayyid was suspicious of the Indian independence movement and called upon Muslims to loyally serve the BritishRaj.- Aligarh (modeled after Cambridge)- “Islam is nature and nature is Islam” - Radical reinterpretation of Islam- Can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em – WesternizeLegacies of Colonialism- State boundaries- Nationalism- Economic systems – Tied to Europe- Social classes- Institutions: The army & bureaucracy- Military and PoliceLegacies of Colonialism-tensions- Westernized elites vs. Traditional elites- State regulation of Islam vs. self-regulation- Islamism vs. Secularism- Economic shortcomings - The “Islam” scapegoat- “Militant Islam” vs. “Peaceful Christianity” - Orientalism - knowledge in the service of powerNationalism- Ideology: groups of people share certain characteristics (“nation”)- Each nation deserves its own political entity (“state”)- All nationalisms consist of: “an imagined political community” (Benedict Anderson) - Factors contributing to nationalism:-Intelligentsia - Economic ties-Mass media - Perceived “Other” The Muslim Brotherhood- The idea of the Islamic state was taken up and radicalized by one of the most remarkable and influential of modern Muslim movements- Founded in 1928 by Hasan al-Banna, an Egyptian school teacher and disciple of Rashid Rida- Focused on religious instruction and a grassroots movement that aimed at mass mobilization - Mass-based social networks; Sunni- Opposed rise of secular/Western ideas- Emphasis on social betterment- Anti-imperialist- 1930s-’40s: increased political activity- Today: moderate and extreme versions- illegal in most Mideast countries- Yusuf al-Qaradawi “Godfather” of Muslim brotherhoodSayyid Qutb- an Egyptian author, educator, Islamist theorist, poet, and the leading member of the Egyptian Muslim Brotherhood in the 1950s and 60s- 1948-51: In USA; studied US education system- 1952: Joined Muslim Brotherhood- 1955-64: Prison (Milestones published in 1964)- 1966 (Aug): Execution-ideology: 1. Bankruptcy of the West: both capitalism and socialism 2. “Islam is the solution” 3. Jahiliyya (‘the Age of Ignorance’) 4. Faith in God provides a strong and unshakeable support that guarantees certain liberation.5. Jihad (A war or struggle against unbelievers)Imam in Shiite Islam- Leader of the Shi’a community; persecuted by ‘Abbasids- Shi‘a believe that all of their Imams except the Hidden Imam came to a brutal end emphasizing the persecution of Shi‘a. - Concept of Imam:- Scholar-warrior-Descendent of Hasan or Husayn-Multiple Imams can exist simultaneously-Not necessary for there to be an Imam at all times-Designation (nass)-Special knowledge-Only Twelve Imams-Twelfth Imam = Mahdi in Occultation-Quietist/ apolitical (three exceptions)-Necessary for Muslims to recognize him- Last living Imam – the 11th Imam- Hasan al-‘Askari (buried in Samarra in Iraq)Husayn- Husayn was a man of great faith and noble character. He was not only a biological descendant of the Prophet, but an heir of his religious and spiritual legacy also.- On the tenth of Muharram 61A.H, the army of Yazid attacked Husayn and startedthe brutal assassination of his men. They killed his sons, nephews, brothers,other relatives and companions.- They looted the tent of his ladies. But they could not shake the unparalleledstrength of Husayn’s faith. At the end they assassinated Husayn, the onlygrandson of the prophet on the earth. They killed Husayn but, withall their brutality and oppression, they could not bend him before theirtransgressor ruler.- Husayn was a symbol of faith and good conduct. He was the most eminentbeliever of his time. His character served as a role model for the nation of Islam.If he had surrendered before the evil ruler Yazid, it would have been aconfirmation of his wicked deeds which would ruin the spirit of Islam.Husain ibn ‘Ali- Important figure in Islam as he is a member of the Ahl al-Bayt and Ahl al-Kisa, as wellas being an Imam.- Highly regarded by both the Shi’a